CHAPTER TWENTY ONE – THE CALM BEFORE…

Andrew's Room

"Where am I," Andrew asked as he walked around the dismal grounds.

"You know where you are," The voice said, "You've always known."

"Who said that… show yourself," Andrew demanded.

"I am that horrible thought in the back of your mind… I am the fear in your eyes… I am truth," the voice said still leaving his body hidden.

"I don't know what you are talking about," Andrew replied looking over the scenery trying to figure out where he was and how he got there.

"Follow that cold feeling in your soul,"

Andrew walked forward until he saw 5 hand made tombstone's, "No, this can't be, I can't be back here," Andrew pleaded as he got down on his knee's to read the names.

Kira Ford, Ethan James, Conner McKnight, Kimberly Hart, Tommy Oliver…

"How can this be," Andrew said backing away from the tombstones, "They aren't dead."

"You know how this can be," The voice said finally revealing himself, "You have always known."

Andrew turned around to see the last person he would have expected, "Mat, but why are you here… and how are they dead," Andrew said more confused than ever.

"There not dead… yet," Mat said as he started to walk back into the shadow's, "And I'm not Mat."

Tommy's Kitchen

"Don't screw this up Tommy," Tommy said to himself as he scrambled the eggs for a surprise breakfast for Andrew and Kim.

Tommy was pleased that everything was set out perfectly; the food looked delicious, the timing was exact, and he had just bought Kim a gift and couldn't wait for her to see it when she looked at her plate this morning. "Oh hey Andrew," Tommy said as he saw Andrew bolting down the hall, "I made breakfast this morning."

"Sorry Tommy," Andrew said as he rushed pass and grabbed a piece of toast, "Got to meet everyone at Hailey's."

Before Tommy could get a word out Andrew was already through the door. "Well isn't that just nice…" Tommy said as Kim came slowly walking through the kitchen, "At least someone will appreciate my cooking."

Kim said nothing until Tommy grabbed the plate of eggs and brought it to her attention, "Want some breakfast," Tommy asked.

"I'm not in the mood," Kim said as she grabbed a glass of water and started heading back to there room, "Sorry Tommy."

"It's ok," Tommy said looking at the gift that Kim didn't even notice, "You just feel better,"

As Tommy sat down at the table by himself all that was running through his mind was, what is going on with everyone this morning?

Mesagog's Fortress Island

"It can't be… I can't be defeated… they are only human…" The Dark Ranger rambled on still staring at the monitor watching the battle from the previous week.

Every second sense that fight ended all the Dark Ranger could do was watch that video; focusing his anger on the power he had lost. They think they can just play me for a foul without consequences… there will be more consequences then they can handle.

"He is pathetic," Mesagog quietly said standing outside of the Dark Ranger's quarters, "Soon he will become a liability… and I can't have that, now can I?"

Slowly Mesagog made his way to his throne room to contemplate how to handle the situation, "Maybe it is time to rethink our… partnership?"

Hailey's Cyber Café

"Way to be on time," Ethan said as he spotted Andrew entering the café a half an hour late for there lunch get together.

"Sorry," Andrew said taking a seat next to Kira, "Woke up in the middle of the night and… just couldn't fall back to sleep."

"Awe, sweetie," Kira said putting her arm around him, "You having those bad dreams again?"

"Yea is Andrew-wander having bad dreams again," Conner said joking around as he took a sip of his pop.

"You know… I think I liked it better when you were acting like you wanted me dead." Andrew replied as the group started laughing.

"Trent," Hailey yelled across the café, "You have a letter here."

As Trent went to get his letter from Hailey Andrew looked oddly at the others, "Am I the only one that finds it odd that Trent gets mail delivered to the café rather than his own home?" Andrew asked.

"No," Ethan answered as the others shook there heads in agreement.

Before Andrew could even get a word out Trent came to the table to give an explanation, "My dad is less than enthusiastic about some of my extra curricular activities so anything to do with them I just have the mail sent here."

"That sucks man," Andrew answered as he took a bit out of Kira's sandwich.

"You get used to it," Trent responded as he opened up the letter.

"Hey," Kira said hitting Andrew on the arm, "Who do you think you are eating my food?"

Andrew started smiling, "I think I am your boyfriend," Andrew responded as him and Kira started kissing.

"No more PDA, please…" Ethan said as Conner made a fake gage face.

"I don't believe it," Trent said as Andrew and Kira pulled themselves away from each other.

"Guys we were just joking," Kira said as her Andrew sat back in there seats.

"Trent," Ethan said seeing that he still had that look in his eyes, "What is wrong?"

Trent said nothing, just stared at the letter for a few moments longer till Kira snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Trent are you still with us?" Kira said.

"Yea, it's just that… I got in," Trent said finally putting the piece of paper down.

"Got into what," Conner asked curiously.

"Interlochen Art Program," Andrew said reading the letter over, "What is Interlochen?"

"One of the most prestigious art programs in the country, every year they run a three week camp… I applied at the beginning of the year; I never thought I would get in though." Trent answered still in shock that he got accepted.

"Well that is great," Kira said giving Trent a huge hug, "This is a great opportunity for you… right?"

"Yea," Trent said as he continued to stare at the letter, "But to bad I can't go."

The others all looked at each other, not sure why Trent would even consider not going. "Why not dude," Conner said being the first to ask what everyone else was thinking.

"Do you even have to ask," Trent said as he started to crumble up the letter, "I would need to leave… like tomorrow, I have no money to pay for it… and I have job here that is a little important."

"But…" Andrew said before Trent cut him off.

"No buts…" Trent said as he got up and threw the letter away, "It just isn't meant to be… I got to go guys, talk to you later."

After Trent left the others just sat there talking about how unfair it was that Trent had to give up something that was this important for him because of being a ranger. Even though they have all given up things, this was the first time that there had ever been a surplus of rangers and the Dark Ranger was out of commission for a while. All of them sat trying to figure out a way to make there friends dream come true.

Andrew's Room

"It really sucks that Trent can't go," Kira said as she lay on Andrew's bed as he sat on the floor next to her.

"Yea," Andrew replied staring at the ceiling.

"There has got to be someway that he can go," Kira said as she racked her mind trying to think of something that they were over looking.

"Yea,"

"Are you even paying attention to me Mr. Andrew?"

"Yea… I'm sorry; what did you say," Andrew replied suddenly realizing that he had completely spaced out while Kira was talking.

"Ok what is going on with you today," Kira said partially angry that her boyfriend wasn't paying attention to her, partially worried with how out of it he has seemed today, "You seem to be somewhere else."

"No…" Andrew said kneeling up and looking into Kira's eyes, "I am right here with you… and that is where I want to be."

"Good," Kira said as she moved her head closer to his, "Because… I wanted to talk to you about something very important."

"Really,"

"Really," Kira answered as they started to kiss.

Though Kira had other boyfriends before Andrew; none of them made her feel the way that he did. Every time that they touched, every time they kissed Kira had to hold back afraid of losing herself in that feeling.

Andrew and Kira continued to make out before Andrew suddenly stopped, "I think I heard Kim and Tommy come in," Andrew said before Kira grabbed him.

"Andrew I think I would have…" Kira said suddenly realizing something, "Oh my god… Andrew you are a genius; I love you… come on we have to go find Kim and Tommy."

Kira quickly hoped out of bed and dragged Andrew right behind her. "You mind telling me where we are going… no… ok, that is ok I guess." Andrew said as Kira frantically looked for Kim and Tommy.

Mesagog's Island Fortress

Mesagog had spent the last several hours debating on how to handle the now unstable Dark Ranger; on one hand the Dark Ranger was still by far his most powerful weapon, but on the other hand he was uncontrollable and with his new state of mind there was no predicting what he would do next… who he would turn on next.

"No," Mesagog said as he put the final touches on the last of his modified Tyrannodrone's, "I am so close to achieving my goal… I can't risk it."

Through out there partnership Mesagog had studied parts of the Dark Ranger's technology. That technology allowed him to create Xyrill, and had now allowed him to modify his Tyrannodrone's with Dark Ranger tech armor and weapons. They would be the greatest assassin's of the Dark Ranger.

"Now go," Mesagog ordered his advanced Tyrannodrone's, "Take care of the Dark Ranger… at all cost."

Hailey's Cyber Café

"Is anyone here," Trent yelled as he entered the café, "The message said 8?"

Trent looked around the empty dining area and started to turn around, "Guess I read the note wrong," Trent said.

"SURPRISE!!" Everyone yelled as the lights flicked on.

Trent jumped as he turned around to see everyone with party hats and confetti. "What is this about guys," Trent asked as Kira and the others gathered around him.

"Silly," Kim said as she put a hat on Trent's head, "This is your going away party."

"What… I am not going anywhere," Trent said more confused than ever.

"Yea," Tommy said putting his arm around Trent, "You are going to that art camp."

"Guys, I told you I can't afford it… it is just not…" Trent began until Hailey interrupted him.

"Oh didn't I tell," Hailey said as she handed Trent another envelope, "You are the first recipient of the Hailey's Cyber Café Art Award. This includes a full ride to the art camp of your choice."

"I can't accept this," Trent said as he started to hand back the envelope, "And besides… you guys need the White Ranger."

"Trent didn't you read the news," Andrew said stepping forward, "Reefside has a over abundance of rangers…"

"So that means that we can afford to have one go away for a couple of weeks to pursue is dreams," Conner said as he threw confetti in the air.

"I… don't know what to say," Trent said as he held the envelope looking at all of his friends.

"Well… you could say… that you will go." Kira said giving one of her friendly smiles Trent's way.

"… yea I will go," Trent said giving a huge smile in return, "But I will have to go home and start packing."

"Then what are you doing here," Ethan said throwing his hat at Trent, "Get your butt home and pack that bag Mr. big shot artist."

The others all through confetti and gave supporting words as Trent ran out the door to pack for the most exciting two weeks of his young life. Before exiting Hailey's Trent turned around, looked at all his friends, "I am the luckiest guy in world."

"He is right you know," Andrew said looking at Kira, "You know he has you to thank for all of this… all of his dreams coming true."

"No," Kira said playfully pushing Andrew, "Everyone gave to this… not just me."

"True… but, you were the one who put it all together," Andrew said as he headed towards the door, "Come on, let's go for a walk."

"Now…" Kira replied.

"Now," Andrew answered as he took Kira by the hand.

Ethan stared at Andrew and Kira as they walked out, "Think we should tell Dr. O and Kim about this?" Ethan softly asked Conner.

"Nah, let them have there time," Conner answered as he and Ethan returned to the celebration.

Storage Room at Hailey's Cyber Café

"You want to hand me that box Kim," Tommy asked as he and Kim were doing Hailey a favor by cleaning up for her tonight, "Kim?"

Tommy walked out of the storage room to see Kim holding her stomach in pain sitting down, "Beautiful… are you ok?" Tommy asked getting next to Kim.

"Yea… I just can't shake this stomach flue… I think I should go to the doctor's." Kim responded.

"We will take you in first thing tomorrow, how does that sound," Tommy said giving Kim a kiss on the forehead.

Kim slightly laughed looking up at Tommy, "You are too good to me… I don't deserve you." Kim said.

"You are wrong," Tommy said as he got up to finish cleaning until he felt in his pocket, "Kim can I talk to you?"

"Of course,"

"Ok… I love you,"

"I love you to… what is wrong Tommy," Kim answered seeing that worried slash sweaty look that she had come to know all too well, "You aren't going to break up with me are you?"

"No," Tommy said wiping away the sweat from his face.

"Then what is it… because if I didn't know any better I would think you are getting up the courage to ask me to marry you…" Kim started saying before Tommy interrupted her.

"I am,"

"What," Kim said as she felt all the blood in her body rushing to her face, "You're what…"

"Kim," Tommy said as he got down on his knee's in front of Kim's chair, "I knew it in high school, and I know it now… you are it, you're my one… will you marry me?"

"Yes Tommy," Kim said as tears started swelling in her eyes, "I'll marry you."

"Really," Tommy asked as Kim shook her head yes, "This is great."

Tommy picked up Kim and spun her around and around, kissing her every step of the way. "I hope you know what you have done, Mrs. Oliver," Tommy asked putting Kim down on her chair.

"What is that," Kim answered as Tommy put the ring on her finger.

"You just made me the happiest man in the world."

Andrew's Room

"And how did we end up here," Kira asked as she and Andrew entered his room while no one was in the house.

"I just wanted to be alone with you," Andrew said giving Kira a kiss, "Is that ok?"

"Oh I am furious," Kira responded as she returned Andrew's kiss.

Kira and Andrew stood next to his bed kissing for about five minutes until he felt her wait push him to the bed. They continued to kiss each other, to lose themselves in each other. Andrew suddenly felt Kira undo one of his shirt buttons. "We don't have to do this," Andrew said breaking there kiss.

"I know," Kira said as she gave Andrew a quick kiss on his lips, "I want to."

With those words Andrew and Kira went back to kissing each other and Kira continued to undo buttons. All the while smiling inside and out; being perfectly happy with each other.

Mesagog's Island Fortress

Patently Mesagog waited on his throne for his advanced Tyrannodrone's to return from there mission. Given the Dark Ranger's weakened physical and mental condition six Tyrannodrone's should be more than enough. "What is taking them so long," Mesagog said getting up from his throne, "They should have been back by now."

"They got held up," A familiar voice said as Mesagog turned his head to confirm what he already knew.

"Dark Ranger… you survived…" Mesagog said less than enthused.

"Yea," The Dark Ranger answered moving closer to Mesagog like a hunter stalking his prey, "Though I have been thinking about something,"

"And what is that," Mesagog said slowly moving away from the Dark Ranger.

"I think it is time we rethought our partnership,"